The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-16
THE DEATH OF JUDGE Elicit.


THE DEATH on JUDGE Elicit,
30 suddenly and publicly, upon AN oc-
casion OF general rejoicing, too, was a shock
TO tho people OF Memphis, to those about
ana near him especially, that will not soon
be, II 1t ever is, forgotten. lie looked to
DO the picture of health as he sat in
his carriage following that Of Presi-
dent Cleveland in the procession,
and gave no indication that death was
lowering near. Always self contained and
methodical, he was deemed TO be quite
himself by those who shared with him the
nor OF the distinguished occasion. lie
had been selected to address the President
IN behalf Of the people Of Memphis, be.
cause he was our most eminent citizen
eminent by reason Of his public
services, his consistently high charac.
ter and his position as u jurist.
Long before the civil war came To interrupt
our progress and bring in It's train unnum-
bered woes, and public as well NJ private
calamities, Judge Elicit had reached the
highest place upon the bench Of Missis.
sippi, in which state he early IN life made
his home. lie was Chief Justice Of the
supreme court, and in that position jusli.
fed the expectancy Of an cxacting bar.
His decisions were characterized by
%clcarncss, cogcncy, logical strength aud
ncarncss 10 the law. Aman OF well ordered
mind, with well fortified religious, M well
as political, convictions, he could not bc
shaken from II basis Of common sense TO
which ho was well anchored. In his day
the flush times Of Mississippi Judge
Elicit met nj the bar Of that State many
very able men, who subsequently reached
national reputation, but 10y all Of
these he was considered to be a
lawyer Of unsurpassed abilities, y
chilly in oommon law and chancery
practice. Prom the very fnsl Of his en-.
trance upon professional life he took q
very high position and maintained II with
increasing strength until the people and
his fellow attorneys, recognizing his worth,
elevated him by an unusual majority 10
the highcs, plncc upon the bench. After
the civil war he removed Lo Memphis,
whep he was already well known and
much esteemed. Here he at onco took
a commanding place ut the bar,
and has held IL ever since, being
Ia the place he filled
W ncccptably m chancellor by tho
unanimous vote Of his fellow lawyers.
Judge Elicit was IN cmincnily iair-mindcd
man. lie held the scales Of justice with a
hand Ills decisions were tho ~.
suit Of IN even balance, aud were no ac-
ccp,able 10 the supreme court Of this State
II had become n conviction with the
that appeals from them wcrn
almost useless. His knowledge Of the
principles Of Law was accuracy itself, and
IA lac hal grown up with the Jurisprudence
Of the southwest, aud helped to mako II
What Il ia, he was rarely at fault
lie was a devoutly religious man, and
WAS rs particular In tho observance
OF the ordinances oi Ills churrh M In amy
OF the routine duties II life. lie WIS Of a
quite, and retiring habit, was not snowy
or cgoiistic. but made MI impression oi
plain, unnSuming, practical manhood.
lie did his duty promptly and we'll whcr.
ever he found II, anl WIS n prop and stay
la his clients. 4 digniiicd gentleman,
handsome OF face, with a pleasing addrcs,
aud manner, Judge Elicit was In his
propcr place yesterday speaking In the
President or the United States whon
called from labor TO rcircshmcnt."
Ills face was always lighted by a genial
smile, aud he sGcmcd 10 b. the very per.
sonihcaiiun 81 = thoroughly satisfied soul,
Democratic In his habits and always sure
Of himself, hc was, according Ia rauls In.
tcprtation. "aIl things 10 all men" lie
enjoyed the respect and confidence of the
community, aud his death u universally
mourncd. Judge Elicit was mn honorable,
honest, just aud God.icarng good man,
an example Of prohiiy and integrity aud
Of good will 10 all mon.